Indians Prospect Insider

In today’s Minor Happenings, Tony get us all up to speed on a flurry of comments from Ross Atkins on players at the Double-A and Triple-A level, and also talk about Francisco Lindor’s impressive play and development, the value of lefty Francisco Jimenez, the slow return to form of Cord Phelps, what Matt LaPorta’s dominance in Triple-A means, the future of Nick Weglarz with the Indians and in baseball, the emergence of young Latin prospect Luis Lugo and lots more!

Tony and Jim return to the cyberwaves tonight for another edition of "Smoke Signals" from 10:00 – 11:00PM EST. Tonight outfielder Bryson Myles will join the show for an on-air interview to talk about his season so far at Lake County. Also, Jim and Tony will discuss the issues at the top of the Indians rotation with Masterson and Jimenez, how Lowe and Gomez have saved them, and what some of the recent roster changes mean.

The Indians blew a 4-1 lead in the 8th inning as Nick Hagadone served up a 2-run homer which tied the game, but the Indians came back in the top of the 9th and scored a run on a Choo RBI single and then Chris Perez slammed the door in the bottom of the inning for his 12th save. Adam McGavin gives his "second thoughts" on another hard fought Indians win and another good start by Jeanmar Gomez.

"When it rains, it pours." While this phrase certainly describes the Carolina Mudcats and their fourth rainout in just over a month, it better describes Monday Night's top player. Joseph Colon got his third straight win and his third straight quality start. Luigi Rodriguez begged, borrowed and stole his way on base. But today's top player continued to play above superlatives and hyperbole. The next big thing for the Cleveland Indians is exactly who you think it is, and I have a feeling he's just getting warmed up.

Erie’s Rawley Bishop went 3-4, with three RBI’s Monday night, and helped lead the SeaWolves to a 6-3 victory over the Akron Aeros at Jerry Uht Park. The Aeros (22-13) have now lost a season-high four straight games. The SeaWolves, meanwhile, won for the sixth straight time. Akron’s division lead now stands at 2 ½ over Harrisburg, and 3 ½ over Erie.

The Columbus Clippers got back in the win column with a win over the Pawtucket Red Sox Monday afternoon in the series finale between the two teams. Columbus (18-19) snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-3 win against Pawtucket. The Clippers had lost the first three games of the four-game set after losing three-straight games to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Welcome back Francisco Lindor. After missing five games for a family emergency, Lindor, playing shortstop, returned to action for the Lake County Captains (18-19) in a big way against the Great Lakes Loons (20-18). The Captains emerged victorious 6-3 behind five RBI from Lindor. Lindor finished the night 2-4, belting his fourth home run of the season, a three-run shot. He followed that up with a two-RBI single to give him five RBI on the day and 17 on the season.

It is Monday evening, which means it is time to "Sail with the Clippers" with Andrew Holleran as he gets you all caught up with what is going on down at Triple-A Columbus. He recaps the week that was, all the transactions, who is hot and who is not, and lots more in his weekly notebook.

The Indians have called up Triple-A Columbus right-handed pitcher Jeremy Accardo to fill the spot on the 25-man roster and in the bullpen after right-hander Dan Wheeler was designated for assignment yesterday.

Tony chimes in today with his weekly Monday piece "3 Up, 3 Down" and looks at a few of the good and not so good performances from the past week in the Indians’ minor league system. Insight gathered from talking with scouts, coaches and executives inside and outside the organization are used for this week's players: Tim Fedroff, Francisco Jimenez, Beau Mills, Luigi Rodriguez, Kevin Slowey and Felix Sterling.

Though he has had a rough go of it over the past year or so, Thomas Neal is still working hard and grinding down in Double-A Akron. Jim Piascik caught up with T Daddy Neal - as he is affectionately known - over the weekend and he explained how he's making the most of his opportunity and what he is working on this year.

Tim Fedroff is an absolute beast of an outfielder in Double A Akron, and just owns the pitching there. Francisco Jimenez is a starter in Carolina that you likely haven't heard of, and while there's a good reason for that, it may be time to pay attention to this kid. Tonight's top slot in ATF goes to a guy that has definitely NOT left the building. Yes folks, this kid may just be the Tribe's best lefty starter in the entire system. Jim Pete give a very special Mother's Day edition of ATF, where the words are aplenty, and so are the prospects.

The Indians were looking to split a four-game series in Boston, and coming off of Thursday night's big win vs. Josh Beckett, it looked like another road series win for the Indians. After today's 12-1 loss, the Indians are now on a three-game losing streak, with two struggling "aces," and an offense that has little answers. Jeff Ellis gives us his Second Thoughts on the Indians debacle from Sunday afternoon's ballgame.

The Mother’s Day crowd of 1,968 people saw a back and forth affair in a 5-3 win by the Lake County Captains over the Great Lakes Loons on Sunday afternoon. Left-hander Elvis Araujo started the game for the Captains and right-hander Jose Dominguez opened for the Loons.

The Carolina Mudcats faced the Potomac Nationals looking for the series sweep after clinching the series win the night before. Behind Francisco Jimenez’s good outing the Mudcats were able to win in a tight one 3-2 over the Nationals taking all three games in the series. Jimenez went five and two third innings giving up two unearned runs while striking out five and giving up only two hits.

The Akron Aeros fell to the Harrisburg Senators 8-4 on Sunday afternoon after falling behind early in the first inning. Left-hander T.J. House took the bump for Akron against Harrisburg’s Mike Ballard. The Aeros were 2-0 in House’s two starts prior to Sunday’s game. House’s start was rough this time around as he surrendered four runs in the first.

The Columbus Clippers lost to the Pawtucket Red Sox 5-4 Sunday in the third game of their four game series. On Sunday it was RHP Kevin Slowey’s turn to start on the mound for Columbus, while Pawtucket countered with former major leaguer Ross Ohlendorf. Neither would figure in the final decision.

The Radar Report is a premium site feature which posts two to three times a month and provides radar readings for the fastball and secondary offerings for several Indians prospects. This week's report includes information on Cody Anderson, Joseph Colon, Cole Cook, Kyle Landis, Kyle Petter, Mason Radeke, Grant Sides, and Giovanni Soto.

It's Sunday morning, and that means it is time to get caught up on all the happenings with the Cleveland Indians. Tony takes a look at the maddeningly inconsistent Ubaldo Jimenez and how the Indians handle him going forward, when Grady Sizemore may return, the black hole offensively at first base, the retirement of Casey Blake, and lots more! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!